334Days ShezPhoto #32OldHermanBarn

Old Herman Barn

This beautiful aging barn about two hundred yards from my office. I have been completely fascinated by it since the first time I saw it, about 3 1/2 years ago.  At that time it was intact, but as you can see the roof flashing is rusted and hanging and the roof is starting to go. This barn looks original and still wears the initial cedar roof. Most old barns have had tin roofs or corrugated metal roofs applied to protect them. There is no hint  as to what color it may have been, perhaps is was never painted.

The industrial area where our office sits has slowly crawled and covered the berry farms, rose nurseries, hazelnut orchards and wheat fields that used to be here. This barn and the house across Herman Road from it stand testament to what was a rich land growing produce to feed people.

The barn is still being used. A few head of cattle roam the large acreage grazing the grasses and grains that remain. We hear the soft low of the cattle from time to time. Not a big herd, just enough to feed a big family each year.

This barn must have been a beauty when it was originally built. It is sad to see it fall apart. My grandson was with me on a short photo expedition the day this was taken. He asked me why are we taking pictures of old things. I told him if we didn’t take them, by the time he is an adult no one will even remember that a barn stood here. He was cool with my answer and has been taking photos of barns ever since. He’s 11 and is developing a great eye and love of photography.